Question from Lynn

Hi,

I am considering growing fruit/vegetables/herbs etc (consumables) in stainless steel containers (304 grade).

I was wondering is this advisable given that stainless steel contains ‘leachable’ toxins? And has there been studies done on this before?

Regards

George

Brisbane, Australia

Debra’s Answer

There are no studies that I could find, but I will tell you that logically I don’t think it’s a good idea.

Metals leach from stainless steel with contact time. Even a few hours of cooking will leach metals into food, so continuous contact for weeks and months on end could certainly result in leaching metals into the soil that would then uptake into the plant and get into the fruit or vegetable.

Question from Stacey

Hi Debra,

I just bought a sea grass storage bench, which I loved, however, I was told it was made of a “wood composite.” That is the only answer I could get, but I assume this is like MDF/particleboard, and that it most likely contains formaldehyde and I should return it. Am I right with this assumption?

Thanks so much!

Debra’s Answer

Actually it doesn’t. But what it does contain is plastic.

The problem is that the plastic could be anything from the least toxic polyethylene to the most toxic PVC and it’s not stated.

IF you can find out what the plastic is, you can determine the toxicity. Otherwise your guess is as good as mine.

I would avoid this material if the plastic cannot be determined.

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Question from Don

Hello Debra,

I listen to you on Toxic Free Talk Radio. I recently purchased a Big Berkey black filter system with PF-2 fluoride filters. My question is are there any dangers/side effects of using active alumina filters? The PF-2 filters seem to leave a slightly bitter taste. I would like your knowledge and opinion about these filters. Do you recommend them or is there a better way to filter out fluoride.

Thank You,

Don

Debra’s Answer

There’s a better way to filter out fluoride.

I use and recommend filters from Pure Effect.

There is NO alumina in their fluoride filter. Alumina from the filter can get into the product water. That just adds aluminum to your water, how much, I don’t know. But aluminum is a metal that you want to minimize as much as you can.

This is the filter I have in my home: www.pureeffectfilters.com/filter-units/pure-effect-ultra-uc.html#a_aid=debra8008

Here’s what their website says about their fluoride-removal cartridge.

Although Activated Alumina is effective for Fluoride Removal, comprehensive testing shows that FluorSorbTM has a consistently greater fluoride removal rate (apx. 20% more) and offers additional benefits such as: Raising Alkaline pH, and filtering some anionic (negatively charged) radioisotopes, heavy metals and chemicals.

Primary Purpose: For Effective Reduction of:
1. Fluoride
2. Arsenic
3. Lithium
Secondary Purpose: For Effective Reduction of:
4. Uranium
5. Radium
6. Plutonium
7. Heavy Metals
8. Organic Chemicals

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Question from Al

I have Allclad surgical stainless steel pots. I boiled one dry, and it turned dark grey or black and gold colored in the bottom of the pot. I used a chemical-free creme scrub to try to get the stains off of the pot, but it didn’t work.

My question is: Is it safe to use this pot now, or will I be exposed to harmful chemicals in my food?

Thanks much for your information.

Debra’s Answer

That’s a very good question and I don’t have a definitive answer.

You could call the company, but they probably wouldn’t understand what you are asking.

I would say it’s probably fine. Surgical stainless steel doesn’t have the same metals as regular stainless steel. So if you scratched it, there still are no metals to worry about.

So I would say it’s fine, by logic, but I have no laboratory tests to verify this.

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Question from Paula

Is TSP toxic to breathe? My painter wants to use it to wash the walls before painting.

Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

TSP, also known as trisodium phosphate does not emit fumes. It is a salt.

Here is a very good article that tells everything you need to know about TSP:
The Natural Handyman: TSP…Cleaning for the Big Dogs!

Just make sure the TSP he uses is pure trisodium phosphate. A few years ago I went to buy some TSP and found there was a product called TSP that had other ingredients in it. Check the ingredients.

Question from Terry

Debra, I found this “green” website discussing vinyl windows, saying that they do *not* affect indoor air quality. Would you read this and tell me what you think? I am about to buy a vinyl sliding door and I am concerned. But this website says there is nothing to worry about.

www.greenhomeguide.com/askapro/question/i-am-considering-replacing-aluminum-windows-and-have-heard-that-vinyl-can-offgas-forever-is-this-true

Debra’s Answer

Well, that’s an interesting article.

I like Green Home Guide a lot, but I don’t know why she overlooked the most obvious thing about vinyl: it’s toxic!

For many years, Greenpeace has had a campaign to eliminate PVC. They have a PVC Alternatives Database that lists windows and doors that are PVC-free.

They say, “this commonplace plastic is one of the most toxic substances saturating our planet and its inhabitants. PVC contaminates humans and the environment throughout its lifecycle: during its production, use, and disposal. Few consumers realize that PVC is the single most environmentally damaging of all plastics.”

It is also not recommended to paint vinyl doors and windows, so paint wouldn’t be the most toxic part. Nor would paint necessarily block any outgassing.

Here’s another good article: PVC, the Poison Plastic

Here’s another article about PVC: Green Building Advisor.com:
Pro/Con: Vinyl is Lethal

This article says

Vinyl is the only major building material in which phthalates are used extensively, and it accounts for about 90 percent of total phthalate consumption. Phthalates are not chemically bonded to the plastic but are merely mixed with the polymer during formulation. They therefore migrate out of the plastic over time into air, water, or other substances with which vinyl comes in contact. Phthalate levels in indoor air in buildings with PVC are typically many times higher than in outdoor air. Phthalate accumulation in suspended and sedimented indoor dusts is particularly high, with concentrations in dust as high as 1,000 parts per million.

Because phthalates are semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), not volatile organic compounds (VOCs), they are not accounted for in most indoor air quality (IAQ) tests, which focus only on VOCs. Thus, vinyl products can obtain IAQ certifications even though they leach phthalates, whose contributions to reproductive-system impairment include infertility, testicular damage, reduced sperm count, suppressed ovulation, and abnormal development and function of the testes and male reproductive tract in laboratory animals. They are known carcinogens in laboratory animals.

And now, here is the evidence that vinyl windows and doors DO outgas. This article is from a website for building inspectors, to locate and fix problems: InspectAPedia: Guide to Plastic, Vinyl Odor Source Diagnosis—Vinyl Siding & Plastic Windows, Flooring & Other Sources. They cite vinyl windows as a source of chemical order, especially when heated. This is a pretty interesting website with lots of toxics information about building materials from real life observation.

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Question from Lynn

Hi Debra,

What might you recommend to stop squeaky metal door hinges ? I am chemically sensitive so not using 3-in-1 oil and silicone spray that would linger for weeks in my bedroom.

Graphite powder I tried squirting into the very thin entry points didn’t work – the hinges have been painted over for years. Last resort would be the time consuming task of scraping the paint, taking the pin out and lubricating it directly, with something !?! I’m hoping to get this done fast and with luck – using a simple non toxic spray.

A friend suggested Crisco, which maybe comes in a spray or Pam? -(Is that the name – I don’t ever use these!) But being vegetable oil might eventually “gum up” I would think?

It should be liquid enough or sprayable right to the hinge breaks to have a chance of working it’s way down – for the quick way to do it!

Any how, love your work, great new website, and I am hoping there is a solution you might know about!

Lisa’s Answer (updated September, 2020)

Readers suggest EZ-1 by Foust that is made for sensitive people.  Always test a small area before using if you are sensitive.

Question from Cathy

Hello Debra,

Perhaps you or your readers can provide feedback and suggestions on the topic of RV’s. I have tried to do research online and by physically going through, or attempting such, a number of RV’s, and I am still in process of doing that. Many/most seem very problematic, particularly as I am especially sensitive to formaldehyde.

However, I want to include a couple of links for review of anyone who is interested. I have just learned of a company who makes the little trailers or pickup campers out of mostly composites and aluminum. They are LivinLite

www.livinlite.com/index.php

Also, a company, Evergreen RV, seems to do a lot of composites in the construction, stating, for example, when I view the page on the Ascend small travel trailers, that they have low VOC’s and formaldehyde.

www.goevergreenrv.com/index

Do you have any thoughts, comments, or suggestions? My husband and I have also looked at Airstream as some/many of them have some aluminum as wall covering, which should be more healthy. However, they are more expensive than most, even for the very small ones.

I have purchased and enjoyed several of your books over the last decade! I also find the blog very enjoyable and helpful.

Thanks,
Cathy

Debra’s Answer

I haven’t done much research on this topic, but I’m sure some of my readers will respond!

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Question from LC

Hi Debra,

I love your site and find all of your information so helpful!!! Thanks so much for taking time to answer readers’ questions!

My husband and I are hoping to replace our memory foam mattress as soon as possible. We really like the feel of the memory foam and would like to go with latex foam.

We are considering the IKEA Morgongava. It is not completely latex (85% latex, 15% synthetic) and I contacted the company to confirm there is no flame retardant used in this model. We need to replace both ours and my daughter’s mattresses so we were looking at going with these, do you think they would be a safe option for all of us? Thanks in advance for your thoughts!!!

Debra’s Answer

I would feel more comfortable if you would choose a mattress that is 100% natural latex. There are still chemicals in that 15% synthetic. But it’s very good there is no fire retardant. And I like the 100% cotton ticking and wool wadding.

There is a lot right about this mattress. You need to decide if that 15% synthetic latex is OK for you.

Just as an aside, you need to be very careful about assessing latex mattresses, as many so-called natural latex mattresses contain synthetic rubber even if not disclosed. There are no regulations for the labeling of latex. So it’s good that IKEA is labeling as such.

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Question from TA

Hi Debra, Could you tell me whether you think these Schleich animal figures are safe for young children? My child is beyond the age of putting things into his mouth, but I am still curious about whether this type of plastic is safe for play. They say they meet and exceed European standards and so forth. Your thoughts?

www.schleich-s.com/en/US/

Here is an excerpt from their FAQ page:
“We not only set tight controls for ourselves and our production stages, we begin with our materials suppliers. They are only approved for use in Schleich products if they are aware of the quality of their processes and materials, comply with international toy regulations and can present the relevant laboratory reports.

The main materials we use are a variety of plastics and a special softener. We make sure that this is used in the same way all over the world so that small parts cannot break off our figures and the material is pleasant to the touch and not too hard. This softener was developed and tested by BASF for particularly demanding applications. It is not only approved for use in toy manufacturing but also for food packaging and for use in the medical field for example as bags for blood products, breathing tubes etc. This means that here too, we are meeting all legal requirements.

Schleich quality assurance staff check and control all production premises as well as our materials suppliers every year.”

Debra’s Answer

Well that’s a very nice description, but there is no mention of what TYPE of plastic it is, nor is there a customer service phone number or even a USA email.

So I can’t evaluate this.

It sounds like they are aware of toxic plastics and are wanting to offer a safer one, but I have no way to validate that.

Compliance with international regulations does not mean it’s necessarily nontoxic and if we don’t know what those regulations are specifically we can’t check them.

I’m not saying there’s anything toxic about these toys, I’m saying not enough information to evaluate.